Perennial succulent herb; root tuberous and horizontal, ovoid, ± 2 cm long; stem erect, usually unbranched, cylindrical, 8–20 cm high, obscurely tuberculate, greenish with purple longitudinal stipes.. Leaves subulate, 2–7(–12) cm long, up to 3 mm thick, glabrous.. Capitula discoid, 1–2, terminal on 5–22 cm long scapes; involucre 20–23 mm long, 10–12 mm in diameter; bracts of calyculus obscure or absent; phyllaries 7–10, 20–23 mm long.. Ray florets absent; disc florets bright red; corolla 24 mm long, tube glabrous, slightly expanded in upper half, lobes 3 mm long.. Achenes not seen mature but ovary 4–6.5 mm long, hairy; pappus 19.5–22 mm long.
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